(Sacramento) – On a bipartisan vote, the Assembly Revenue and Taxation today approved Assembly Bill 1365, an effort by Assembly Member Betty Karnette to refurbish the state’s arts funding structure and return the California Arts Council grant budget to previous levels.

“Right now, California only spends about 3 cents per person on art programs and that’s just shameful,” Karnette said.  “AB 1365 is my way of helping both our society and economy develop and flourish.” 

Karnette’s measure would provide about $35 million in annual arts funding, which is modestly higher than annual funding provided just 8 years ago.  The California Arts Council currently has an annual budget of $5 million.  Only $1 million comes from state general funds, the remainder is a mix of federal funds and special license plate funds.  The Council’s general fund support has dwindled precipitously since the 1999-2000 budget year when it was allocated $32 million in state funds.

“The budget cuts for arts programs have had a devastating impact on hundreds of community-based visual and performing arts groups throughout the state,” said Karnette.  “These cuts have severely jeopardized programs dedicated to supporting California's individual artists, multicultural groups, local arts agencies, folk and traditional arts, and more.  Without adequate arts grants, California’s cultural development has taken a blow.” 

AB 1365 originally called for all revenues derived from the state’s portion of sales tax proceeds from works of art to be allocated to the California Arts Council exclusively for administrative and artistic purposes.   That plan has been refined to solely redirect sales taxes charged in two, specific retail categories pertaining to arts, crafts and music.

“Everyone sees the state of California as a global leader in the arts and entertainment industries,” Karnette said, “and state leaders need to support both the economic and cultural development of California and her people.  My plan is to refurbish California’s arts budget by setting-aside about one-dollar per Californian, per year.

For more information on the California Arts Council, please visit: http://www.cac.ca.gov/